Merchants which supply Boortmalt came out with fixed price offers in the last few days. Reports of a price of €225/t make it a very attractive offer given where malting barley markets are at present.

The offer is available on 20% of a growers’ contract, but growers do not have to fix the whole 20%. The price was about €15/t ahead of malting barley prices last week and after a fall in recent days is about €30-40/t ahead of current prices. Some prices went up last week and some dropped.

It is important to note that growers have been informed that there will be no distilling contracts this year so no potential for a €10/t distilling bonus. The lack of distilling demand is thought to be one of the main reasons for contract cuts to all merchants this season.

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The €10/t charge that usually applies to harvest price does not apply to this fixed price offer either as in previous years. Growers should make sure they know their contracted tonnage before signing up for the offer.

While the IFA did not detail the price in its press release on the matter it did welcome it. IFA grain chair John Murphy said: “While the price remains lower than previous fixed price offers over the past four years, the recovery in the malting premium over Irish feed barley will give growers some degree of encouragement ahead of planting season.

“Owing to the sharp decline in FOB Creil prices throughout 2025, the final harvest price finished only €18-20/t above feed. However, this first price offer for harvest 2026 is probably closer to €40/t higher than current quotes,” John Murphy said.

“If this price is the lowest that growers take this harvest, it won’t be the worst outcome,” John Murphy concluded.

If the pricing system for 2026 continues as in previous years’ then growers should note that €10/t will be taken off the malting barley price so even if prices go up €10/t a charge will apply so the fixed price offer gives a certain amount of insurance and value.

In January, it was announced that over 200 growers supplying malting barley to Stradbally Town and Country had lost their contracts. The Irish Farmers Journal understands that talks are ongoing between Boortmalt and Stradbally Town and Country.